A Life Appointed by God

16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Title - A Life Appointed by God

Background

Jesus was speaking to his disciples -

how He chose and appointed them

to go and bear fruit

fruit that will remain (last)

Our text connects us back to the parable mentioned in earlier verses -

the parable of the vine and branches

the vine was Christ Himself, the branches were his disciples

they were to abide in Him so that they will bear fruit - John 15.4-5

John 15:4–5 NKJV

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

the fruit are the things that a disciple may desire and ask of God within this relationship - John 15.7-8

John 15:7–8 NKJV

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Main Point

The life of a disciple is (1) a life that God has chosen, and (2) a life that God has appointed to go and bear fruit for God’s glory.

My Eulogy

Pastor Nonoy lived the life of a true disciple of the Word.

It was a life that God chose for him to live -

at 10 years old - he already desired the gift of the Holy Spirit

at 13 years old - he was already leading the services as MC/SL

at 15 years old - he was already preaching/teaching God’s word

at 19 years old - he was already doing pioneering work here in San Pedro

at 20 years old - he was already pastor of this church

It was not the easy life -

the first house of worship was a school classroom

I remember eating with them in their house here in Mendoza st.

he was left by many of his friends, loved ones, and church members

he was marked by those who misunderstood his position in the message

It was a life that God has appointed to fruitfulness!

despite the hardships and abandonment -

his sermons touched the hearts of many

his words of advice corrected many lives

his sound teaching edified many believers

his ministry extended beyond the walls of his humble miinistry

his work extended far into the provinces

I remember the first missionary journey we had in Mindanao in 2002

I remember going with him to Culion in Palawan

I remember going with him to Anahawan (2003)

his ministry established many congregations and outreaches

he mentored many pastors and preachers

he was first to teach me to learn to let go -

His life is now finished, but the fruits of his labors will remain!

YOU are the fruit of his God-appointed life

YOU are the men and women he prayed to God for salvation, edification, enlightenment and strength.

His life may be short (58 years) but it was FULL OF FRUITS!

for a man who only had basic education

for a preacher who had no formal training in ministry

HIS LIFE WAS FULL!

My Sermon

As the people of God, we have only kind of life to live - the life that God has appointed for us

your earthly existence was merely a staging point - the means for that life to be expressed

at God’s perfect time the gospel came to our lives -

it ended the old life and ushered in God’s appointed life for each of us!

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Our lives were already chosen on our behalf long before we existed!

it was chosen before the foundation of the world

its purpose, goings in and out, and boundaries were already set

Acts 17:28 NKJV

28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

Our lives were appointed to bring fruit to God

It does not matter how many things we acquire, how much wealth we gain in this life.

the only thing that matters are the fruit that brings glory to God

Conclusion

What we must learn from Pastor Nonoy’s life -

whether your days are short or long - make your life fruitful!

the longest lives are not always the most fruitful -

some want to live just so they can enjoy the pleasure of life

the most fruitful are those who who know how to MAKE THE MOST OF LIFE Eph 5:15

Ephesians 5:15–18 NKJV

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,